The Chief of Police, Phillips orders an investigation after Roberts makes a complaint about himself, specifically the complaint was that he was rude. (See letter.) Roberts made this complaint after he accused another officer of spreading lies and rumors about him.

Bizarre? You bet. Waste of taxpayer money? You bet. Unprofessional police department making too much money? You bet.

Both an embarrassment to Winchester and the Law Enforcement profession as a whole? You bet.

Here’s how it all goes down.

Roberts accuses one of the officers of spreading lies and rumors about him.

Phillips decides a formal internal investigation is appropriate under the circumstances and initiates the process.

Another concocted story by Phillips and Roberts to target an employee.

Another example of a corrupt Winchester police department. Excuse upon excuse upon excuse for bad cops covering up for each other.

Bizarre?

Here is the complaint written by Chris Roberts about himself.

Leadership in Winchester is just below the surface of the roads we travel on. That’s not good for any of us.

Monday, October 24, 2011

AG’s office helps cover up one Public Official giving another Public Official money in exchange for favors? A BRIBE?

It was reported to the AG’s office, Gary Phillips, Chief gave Eric Ammann of NH State Police money from his own pocket in exchange for Ammann to come work for him full time.

Why is the AG’s office doing nothing about our corrupt NH Cops?

An investigation? Or a cover up?

Does the AG’s Office put the community and the general public at risk by ignoring reports about corrupt practices of our public officials?

A seasoned law enforcement official and criminal investigator for the NH Attorney General’s Office, Richard (Dick) Tracy, gives a wishy-washy explanation about Phillips lame-ass excuse for how Eric Ammann came to have this extra money in exchange for coming to the WPD full time.

Tracy reports, Phillips begged Ammann to come work for him at the WPD and he gave Ammann a personal check, drawn on his own personal account in exchange for doing so.

Phillips admits to Tracy it was $2,000.

Instead of asking Phillips how Ammann got the money, who gave him the money and who wrote the check he did nothing to find out exactly where the money came from, Tracy blows over that little detail.

Something to hide?

Instead of asking for a copy of the check – an easy way to figure out where the money came from, he didn’t bother.

According to Tracy, he drove 1 ½ to 2 hours to go all the way to Winchester for a face to face interview with Phillips and according to his report, couldn’t get an answer to the question – WAS the payout part of salary or did it come from Phillips himself?

Makes no sense does it? Why bother wasting the taxpayer’s money if you don’t want to look in the cave after you spend your time and gas money driving to it?

Tracy, you could have stayed in Concord and summoned Phillips up there for all the nothing you accomplished.

When is the NH Attorney General's office going to finally admit that they can't hide the corruption anymore and that they have bad cops in the State of NH they refuse to deal with while putting the public at risk?

And what about the Town of Winchester and the officials running the Town who knew about this?

Phillips admitted giving Ammann money, Ammann has said he got a check from Phillips personal account and NOT FROM THE TOWN OF WINCHESTER, in exchange for him agreeing to immediately come to work at the WPD at the time the offer was presented.

Hmmmmmmmm. If it smells like a bribe???? What else can you call it? Read the RSA on Corruption and Bribes. See copy of document.

From Tracy’s report: “Approximately 2 years ago, Eric Ammann was working as a full time dispatcher for the NH State Police and a part time officer with Winchester. He had been trying to land a full time position as a police officer but was not able to pass the physical test. Chief Phillips approached Ammann and asked him to work full time with the department in the hopes that Ammann would eventually pass the PT test in the near future. Ammann was reluctant to do so noting that he needed the full time benefits that he had with State Police. Reportedly the Chief gave Ammann $1,500.00 out of his own pocket if Ammann would take a full time position with his department.” Open link to see copy of document.

Phillips tells him: “A few years back Eric expressed his desire to work full time as a police officer, Winchester, was short handed having lost two officers to Hinsdale PD with a third officer out on workman comp everyone was working more overtime than they cared to. Phillips approached Eric who was working as a full time police dispatcher reference working at Winchester on a full time basis. Eric was hesitant to do that as he would lose benefits that he had with the state. Philips offered Eric $2,000 bonus to offset the loss. Phillips noted that he was desperate at the time, his officers were working more hours than they should and he feared for their safety from being overtired. Eric would accept the Chief’s offer…..” Open link to see copy of document.

Tracy’s Summary of the reported crime: “The Chief paid Ammann $1,500 dollar to take a job with the department. That allegation shocked Chief Phillips. First the Chief doesn’t understand how that would benefit him or the department. Secondly the Chief pointed out that Ammann is a local guy who the Chief feels would fit in real well with the community and the department. Phillips assisted Ammann with getting a membership at the local gym. Phillips stated that around two years ago his department was shorthanded. Everyone was working additional hours, which became a safety concern for the Chief. He approached Ammann requesting that he work full time for the PD instead of part time. Ammann a dispatcher with the NHSP was concerned with losing his benefits. Phillips offered Ammann a $2,000 bonus to help offset the cost of benefits he would lose if he came to work for full time for Winchester.” Open link to see copy of document.

The benefit to Phillips, in case Tracy missed some training classes on the way up to Concord, is that Phillips gets to keep his job and doesn’t get booted out on his ass.

What more did Tracy need? Phillips admits offering Ammann $2,000 and instead Tracy PLAYS WITH his OWN WORDS, figuring people won’t or are too stupid to catch on, “Philips offered Eric $2,000 bonus to offset the loss” and that “Eric would accept the Chief’s offer”.

He offered the money, Ammann accepted the pay off and started working fulltime for Phillips.

Headlines the AG's is afraid of. Extra, Extra, Read all about it.............

“Chief of Police gives his personal money to a subordinate officer in exchange for that officer having to meet conditions he set forth such as coming to work for him at the PD!”

And,

“By-passes the Town approved budgets for police officers salaries by admitting to propping up the salary of one of them by going outside the scope of how employees at the Town of Winchester are paid!”

Is that what the AG’s office is afraid of? Afraid of the headlines that don’t make them look good?

Phillips and his cronies need to be reminded of who pays their salaries.

Was this exchange of money reported to the Internal Revenue Service and State of NH, so that the proper amount of taxes and pension were paid?

What about a 1099? Did Phillips provide Ammann with a 1099?

Why can’t NH citizens get the AG's to do a proper investigations of our elected and appointed official’s misdeeds? Has the NH AG’s office and Delaney turned it’s back on all of NH or just Winchester, NH and the honest and decent people who live here?

Are we left to fend for ourselves and wait for more harm to come to the citizenry of this town? More lawsuits, more injuries and more scandals?

The AG’s office could have and should have applied for search warrants of both Phillips and Ammann’s financial records when Tracy first learned money passed hands between Phillips and Ammann? Why didn’t Delaney order this be done and why hasn’t it been done? They have the power.

The AG’s office, Delaney, Tracy et al, can’t keep standing behind the wall and saying there is no evidence any crimes being committed by our NH Police Force when they refuse to get the evidence that exists that proves crimes are committed.

When Tracy got to Winchester he knew that Phillips and Roberts were being investigated for bank fraud. Couldn’t he put 2 and 2 together?

Isn’t presenting fake documents and fraudulent information to a bank, regardless of the reason or excuse, illegal? Criminal? Against the Law? Something Prosecutor’s prosecute people for? Something the Police charge people with? Something people go to jail for?

I don't recall seeing a PS at the end of the NH Criminal Statute with a bunch of but if's or because this or because that.

It doesn't matter anyway, the AG’s office find them in violation. And since they were in violation of the by-laws, why weren’t they found to be in violation of the criminal laws?

Let’s see – bet the AG’s said we’ll just tell ‘em we just don’t think it wasn’t intentional, then we don’t have to do anything, we can close the case.

Or maybe they said that they’re just a little confused about the laws and didn’t realize that they had to follow the laws too, they thought the laws .

Another get out of jail free card? Why did the AG’s office let them off the hook on that one?

Were they looking the other way and pretending none of it ever happened?

If the police can be bought and sold so easily out in the open in broad daylight, what are they doing behind the closed doors we never find out about? How can we trust or believe anything they say?

Tracy didn’t follow through on information he was given and that information, was information that he could have easily substantiated what Phillips did was WRONG and ILLEGAL. Why not? Why didn’t he? Because he doesn’t have to? Not a valid excuse. It’s up to the AG Office to police the police. That’s one of their jobs.

Phillips had a BIG PR problem. Phillips also has a BIG EGO PROBLEM.

He didn’t want the word to get out that his police department was in shambles due to his mismanagement, he could lose his job if he were to be found an incompetent. Lose his job, his benefits, his paycheck. MOTIVE to BREAK the LAW?

Emails from the Town show the money didn’t come in a payroll check. Tracy should have done his job and asked this one simple questions from Town Hall.

Email to the Town dated 10/23/10:

“It is my understanding that when Eric Ammann was hired fulltime at the Winchester Police Department, the Town paid him a substantial sign on bonus.”
“Can you tell me specifically how much this additional salary cost the taxpayers?”
“I would also like to analyze the line item that shows this money being paid to him.”
“Who authorized this sign on bonus? Was this done by Selectmen’s vote? If so, can you tell me at what BOS meeting this vote took place during?”
Also, how much did Fred Ziegler or any of the other new police officers get for sign on bonuses and what line item was to record them?” Open link to see copy of document.

“The Finance Department has looked into the financial, payroll and personnel files regarding your requests, and has reported back that the Town of Winchester as not authorized any sign-on bonuses for any member o the Police Department and there is no line item for this.” Open link to see copy of document.

“I appreciate you getting back to me on this, but this information doesn’t make sense. I have come across public records where Gary Phillips stated he offered Eric a $2,000.00 sign on bonus, to offset his lose in benefits to go to the WPD full-time and that Eric accepted that offer.”
“There must be a record of this as taxes and pension contributions would e reflected in the payment.”
“Can you please re-check the records?” Open link to see copy of document.

Email dated 11/8/10, Morel writes back:
“This is written in response to both of your concerns, namely the gym memberships and sign-on bonus.”

“As explained in my email of 10/28/10, the Finance Department has looked into the financial, payroll and personnel files regarding your sign-on requests, and has reported back that the Town of Winchester has not authorized any sign-on bonuses for any member of the Police Department and there is no line item for this.”

“The Town of Winchester does not offer either sign-on bonuses or gym memberships. The Board of Selectmen reserves the right to make executive decisions if members feel an employee needs additional support.” Open link to see copy of document.

In a response back to Morel in an email dated 11/10/10 which can be seen at the above link.

“Specifically, how much did the town pay for Eric Ammann’s gym membership or reimbursement, to whom it was paid and when was it paid.”

The response from Morel on 11/10/10.

“Your request does not stipulate any particular governmental record, only questions to be answered. However, if you are referring to documentation regarding this request, the cost of three (3) pages copied is $1.50. Please remit that amount to the Town, and copies will be provided to you”.

Then in yet another email dated 11/9/10 the Town is again asked, this time from a different requestor of information and is as follows:

“Have the selectmen authorized or approved any bonuses for Eric Amman? If so what are the dates and amounts of these bonuses?”

“Have the selectmen authorized or approved any payments or reimbursements to Eric Ammann for the purpose of a gym membership?”

“Have any of the WPD employees or any other members of the Town’s employees been reimbursed or approved to receive any monetary or monetary equivalents above their budgeted salary and benefits as outlined in the budget?”

"If so, who made the authorizations? Were any votes taken and if so when? If so who received the benefit, date and purpose of benefit and what budget lines are these items charged to?” Open link below to see copy of document.

“Your request does not stipulate any particular governmental record, only questions to be answered. However, if you are referring to documentation regarding this request, the cost is .50 per page.”

“Requests about Eric Amman are reasonably described, and the three (3) pages will be copied for you at a cost of $1.50. Please remit that amount to the Town, and copies will be provided to you”

“Please be more specific about the rest of your questions so that we may estimate the cost involved and be of assistance to you.”

Was this more preferential treatment that Eric Ammann received, in the form of additional income, beyond what he got from Phillips? Was this additional income included by the Town when they reported his wages and earnings to the State and Federal Governments and to the retirement system?

The responses pretty well substantiate that the money that Ammann received for coming to the WPD full time didn’t come from the taxpayers, which substantiates the fact that the money did come from an outside source and gives credence to Ammann stating it came from Phillips personally. Which was exactly what was reported to the AG’s office and precisely what Phillips was questioned on by the AG’s office, to which Phillips admitted to Tracy he did in fact offer money to Ammann and that Ammann accepted that offer. This all acknowledged by the AG’s office in it’s own report that Phillips said he offered Ammann $2,000 and Ammann accepted the offer.

So in nutshell –

1.Phillips asked Ammann to come to the WPD to work full time.
2.Ammann said NO, he couldn’t afford to because of some benefit he was getting from SP. 3.Phillips, instead of taking "NO" for an answer, offered Ammann $2,000 out of his own pocket to cover that loss if he agrees to immediately sign on with Winchester.
4. Ammann agrees to accept the new offer under the new terms and takes the $2,000 personal check from Phillips and immediately goes full time at the WPD.5. Down the road, Ammann confesses to other officers about the incident and circumstances who in turn report the bribe.
6. The AG’s gets involved when they are made aware of the allegation, they question Phillips and Phillips admits to giving Ammann a $2,000 bonus and also admits that Ammann accepted it.7. According to Tracy's report, Reppucci gets questioned and he tells Tracy he was told the money came from Phillips personally and not from the Town.
8. Tracy does nothing further. He doesn’t even question Ammann.

So the original allegation made against Phillips of questionable and illegal activity Phillips had engaged in when he offered his personal money to persuade a public official, Ammann, to come work for him has been established as an allegation based on truth and facts and that indeed money changed hands between the two of them for their own selfish gain.

Phillips is of questionable character.

He has the propensity (tendency, inclination) to be a liar. So much so that anything he does say is questionable.

Moammar Phillips?

TITLE LXII CRIMINAL CODE

CHAPTER 640 CORRUPT PRACTICES

Section 640:2

640:2 Bribery in Official and Political Matters.

I. A person is guilty of a class B felony if:a) He, promises, offers, or gives any pecuniary benefit to another with the purpose of influencing the other's action, decision,…or other exercise of discretion as a public servant, …
b) Being a public servant, party official, candidate for electoral office, or voter, he solicits, accepts or agrees to accept any pecuniary benefit from another knowing or believing the other's purpose to be as described in subparagraph I(a), or fails to report to a law enforcement officer that he has been offered or promised a pecuniary benefit in violation of subparagraph I(a).

II. .. the following definitions apply:(a) "Public servant" means any officer or employee of the state or any political subdivision thereof, including judges, legislators, consultants, jurors, and persons otherwise performing a governmental function. A person is considered a public servant upon his election, appointment or other designation as such, although he may not yet officially occupy that position. A person is a candidate for electoral office upon his public announcement of his candidacy.
(c) "Pecuniary benefit" means any advantage in the form of money, property, commercial interest or anything else, the primary significance of which is economic gain; it does not include economic advantage applicable to the public generally, such as tax reduction or increased prosperity generally.
Source. 1971, 518:1, eff Nov. 1, 1973.

RSA 640:2 pretty well confirms that Phillips committed a class B felony when he promised, offered and gave Ammann a pecuniary benefit, in this case cash from his own pocket with the promise of a full time position with the WPD. Cash given for the sole purpose of influencing Ammann’s decision to immediately quit his job with State Police to come work for the him after Ammann told him he could not financially afford to immediately quit State Police and go to work at Winchester full time.

Another words Phillips cash payout is a cash bribe?

But one has to guess the Prosecutors decided not to prosecute, how convenient for all. And yeah, it's true, they don't like it when people get in their faces about it.

Under the same RSA Ammann committed a class B felony when he, being a public servant accepted and agreed to accept a monetary benefit from Phillips knowing that Phillips purpose for doing so was to sway Ammann to agree to be hired immediately. To make matters worse, Ammann, a sworn police officer who worked part time for 10 years and knew or should have known the statues, was obligated under the statute to report to a law enforcement officer that he has been offered or promised a pecuniary benefit in violation of the law.

Or, to be put into simple terms even Phillips and Tracy hope you don’t understand, Phillips offered him a cash bribe to come to work for Winchester immediately and Ammann accepted it. Amman then kept quiet about for almost a year and half. He finally told other officer who in turn reported the bribe. The crime was then “officially” reported, but again not by Ammann. Up until now it’s been kept a pretty quiet secret and little was known about the truth surrounding the entire events. The story has now been opened up for public view.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Contact The FBI When Those In Authority Violate Your Rights........... it’s a federal crime for anyone acting under “color of law” willfully to deprive or conspire to deprive a person of a right protected by the Constitution or U.S. law. “Color of law” simply means that the person is using authority given to him or her by a local, state, or federal government agency.

U.S. law enforcement officers and other officials like judges, prosecutors, and security guards have been given tremendous power by local, state, and federal government agencies—authority they must have to enforce the law and ensure justice in our country. These powers include the authority to detain and arrest suspects, to search and seize property, to bring criminal charges, to make rulings in court, and to use deadly force in certain situations.

Preventing abuse of this authority, however, is equally necessary to the health of our nation’s democracy. That’s why it’s a federal crime for anyone acting under “color of law” willfully to deprive or conspire to deprive a person of a right protected by the Constitution or U.S. law. “Color of law” simply means that the person is using authority given to him or her by a local, state, or federal government agency.

The FBI is the lead federal agency for investigating color of law abuses, which include acts carried out by government officials operating both within and beyond the limits of their lawful authority. Off-duty conduct may be covered if the perpetrator asserted his or her official status in some way.

Most of these crimes fall into five broad areas:

Excessive force; Sexual assaults; False arrest and fabrication of evidence;Deprivation of property; and Failure to keep from harm.

Excessive force: In making arrests, maintaining order, and defending life, law enforcement officers are allowed to use whatever force is “reasonably” necessary. The breadth and scope of the use of force is vast—from just the physical presence of the officer…to the use of deadly force. Violations of federal law occur when it can be shown that the force used was willfully “unreasonable” or “excessive.”

Sexual assaults by officials acting under color of law can happen in jails, during traffic stops, or in other settings where officials might use their position of authority to coerce an individual into sexual compliance. The compliance is generally gained because of a threat of an official action against the person if he or she doesn’t comply.

False arrest and fabrication of evidence: The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right against unreasonable searches or seizures. A law enforcement official using authority provided under the color of law is allowed to stop individuals and, under certain circumstances, to search them and retain their property. It is in the abuse of that discretionary power—such as an unlawful detention or illegal confiscation of property—that a violation of a person’s civil rights may occur.

Fabricating evidence against or falsely arresting an individual also violates the color of law statute, taking away the person’s rights of due process and unreasonable seizure. In the case of deprivation of property, the color of law statute would be violated by unlawfully obtaining or maintaining a person’s property, which oversteps or misapplies the official’s authority.

The Fourteenth Amendment secures the right to due process; the Eighth Amendment prohibits the use of cruel and unusual punishment. During an arrest or detention, these rights can be violated by the use of force amounting to punishment (summary judgment). The person accused of a crime must be allowed the opportunity to have a trial and should not be subjected to punishment without having been afforded the opportunity of the legal process.

Failure to keep from harm: The public counts on its law enforcement officials to protect local communities. If it’s shown that an official willfully failed to keep an individual from harm, that official could be in violation of the color of law statute.

One reason cited by Arnold for his wanting a ban on all media was his allegation of an out of control public creating an atmosphere of hostility and intimidation within the halls of his justice.

With all due respect, these video’s show a very different picture, one of the Courts Officer’s creating a hostile environment that clearly is using intimidation as a means of control.

If these public servants have so much fear and anxiety at the sight of a camera, a piece of equipment that does nothing more than records their actions and shares their thoughts when they speak, maybe it’s time they are ALL RETIRED. Maybe the whole lot needs to be sent to therapy so they can learn how to deal with their issues and we can be assured they can perform their duties in an appropriate manner as required by the law.

Normally people don’t have the extreme reactions as those exhibited by members of the Keene area Courts. The highly concentrated number of Court Officer’s having such extreme reactions to camera’s, an aversion to camera's so severe that threatening to break them comes so easily, shows an anomaly in the thought process that needs professional intervention.

In what is an undeniable, despicable act of aggression and a crime in the State of NH the Law that Tebo Broke:

CHAPTER 631

ASSAULT AND RELATED OFFENSES

Section 631:4

631:4 Criminal Threatening. –

I. A person is guilty of criminal threatening when:

(c) The person threatens to commit any crime against the property of another with a purpose to coerce or terrorize any person; or

II. (b) All other criminal threatening is a misdemeanor.

III. (a) As used in this section, "property'' has the same meaning as “property of another''

(b) As used in this section, "terrorize'' means to cause alarm, fright, or dread; the state of mind induced

﻿Tebo, sheds light by way of another example of the real reasons behind the Camera Ban in Cheshire County NH Courts.

Reasons why John Arnold, Ed Burke and the Court Officers, Bailiffs, etc. don’t want anyone intruding in “THEIR” world and exposing them and their reprehensible criminal way of conducting business by threatening, lying and bullying.

As taxpayers in this County, we not only should have a right to know what we are paying for in terms of the personnel hired by this County and State, they are obligated to transparency so that we have assurance they are acting in “OUR” best interests.

Court personnel, whether State or County who threaten citizen’s personal property or the persons themselves, for any reason, is unacceptable and inexcusable.

Where is the customer service in this County? Who is serving who? It seems we are the servants to this wanton lack of respect coming from the Courts.

Another example of Arnold’s inability to control what goes on in the Cheshire County Superior Court House.

Another reason for the NH Redress Committee to investigate the goings on here in Cheshire County.

MANCHESTER — Judge Robert S. Stephen was reprimanded for angrily accusing a city firefighter of illegally posting political signs last fall that told “lies” about his brother, John Stephen, who was then the Republican nominee for governor.

This is another example of the exclusive content we publish each day only in print editions of the Union Leader and Sunday News and our digital e-Edition (a page-for-page replica of the newspaper available as a subscription or as a single copy). For more recent articles appearing exclusively in print, click here. For print subscription information, click here. For e-Edition info, click here.

Comments
Note: Comments are the opinion of the respective poster and not of the publisher.

Mike Roy said:"only in print" seem to be only negative stories about conservatives.
(Report Abuse) September 29, 2011 7:06 am

Dean Frazier said:
I guess that "do you know who I am? I will have your job" tirade didn't turn out so well.
(Report Abuse) September 29, 2011 8:29 am

Failure to Avoid Impropriety and the Appearance of Impropriety by Not Acting at all Times in a Manner that Promotes Public Confidence in the Judiciary.

Canon 2B

Failure to Avoid Impropriety and the Appearance of Impropriety by Allowing Family, Social, Political or Other Relationships to Influence the Judge’s Judicial Conduct or Judgment, and Lending the Prestige of the Judicial Office to Advance the Private Interests of the Judge or Others.

Canon 5A(3)

A Judge Shall Not engage in Any Other Political Activity Except on Behalf of Measures to Improve the Law, the Legal System, or the Administration of Justice.

IV. DISCIPLINE:

Upon a finding that Judge Stephen has violated Canons 2A, 2B and 5A(3) of the Code of Judicial Conduct, based on the above analysis, the Committee finds that the violations are not a sufficiently serious nature to warrant the imposition of formal discipline by the court. Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 40(8)(f), and with the consent of Judge Stephen, the Committee issues a Reprimand. The Committee urges that Judge Stephen be more mindful of the implications of his personal as well as professional conduct and remarks going forward in light of his office and its attendant obligations.

Judge Stephen shall also reimburse the Committee for all cost associated with the investigation and resolution of this matter.

Based upon the facts and circumstances surrounding Judge Stephen’s self-report (JC-10-066-C), the related grievance filed by Lieutenant Healy of the City of Manchester Fire Department, the Committee’s own investigation of these matters (which included but was not limited to Judge Stephen’s recorded statement under oath) and pursuant to Judge Stephen’s stipulated violation of Canon 2 A, 2 B and 5 A (3) of the Code of Judicial Conduct the Committee has voted to publicly sanction Judge Stephen for violations of Canons 2 A, 2 B and 5 A (3) by way of this Reprimand.

Is the day coming that, Phillips, the Chief in Winchester will be in the headlines?

Blatantly lying to law enforcement officials and the public. Is it only a matter of time before his goose too gets cooked and then makes the news in a big way?

He’s law enforcement after all, and shouldn’t he be held accountable for his actions too?

And his second, Lt. Roberts helped him pull it off.

Old news? Perhaps. Still relevant? You betcha.

Phillips whose stories ramble on in a seemingly pathological liar way, has on numerous occasions given deliberately false, misleading, fake and untruthful information to the AG’s office and to other Town and State Agencies in an effort to conceal his actions, as if that is a defense and/or has made excuses for his participation in illegal activity, when he’s been caught in the act.

For some reason, the following actions, brought to the attention of the AG’s office have thus far protected Phillips.

The following information comes from one or more of the many reports and investigations conducted, including those conducted by the AG’s office itself, down in the town of Winchester, NH.

Of interest, the AG’s office and the other criminal investigative reports never reveal or disclose that the allegations are lies and those that brought them forward were either misinformed or lying themselves, instead they skirt around that issue and try to explain away Phillips justification for his crimes, as if that really matters.

1.) Stories such as that of Phillips and NH State Dispatcher, Eric Ammann - money changing hands, money coming from Phillips own pocket and going to Ammann's pocket, in an action that is nothing less than a bribe. What other bribes has he been involved with? On the following links you can find the truth along with the reports and documents that support the truth. Documents from the town that show Phillips lied to the AG’s. Documents from the AG’s office, with statements from Phillips made to the AG’s investigator, Tracy, that contradict both the allegations made against Phillips, the Town’s policy, the Town’s acknowledgement the money didn't come from the Town and that which Phillips told the AG’s office which was in fact true, he offered Amman money and Ammann accepted.

From the Ag’s report:

The alleged crime being investigated: “Reportedly the Chief gave Ammann $1,500.00 out of his own pocket if Ammann would take a fulltime position with the department.”

Phillips response to the AG’s questioning: “Phillips approached Eric who was working as a full time state police dispatcher reference working at Winchester on a fulltime basis. Eric was hesitant to do that as he would lose benefits he had with the state. Phillips offered Eric a $2,000 bonus to offset the loss. Eric would accept the Chief’s offer.”

The following comes from correspondence and dialogue between the Town and RTK requests:

“It is my understanding that when Eric Ammann was hired fulltime at the Winchester Police Department, the Town paid him a substantial sign on bonus.”

“Can you tell me specifically how much this additional salary cost the taxpayers?”

“I would also like to analyze the line item that shows this money being paid to him.”

“Who authorized this sign on bonus? Was this done by Selectmen’s vote? If so, can you tell me at what BOS meeting this vote took place during?”

Also, how much did Fred Ziegler or any of the other new police officers get for sign on bonuses and what line item was to record them?”

In a response from Town Administrator Joan Morel dated 10/28/10.

“The Finance Department has looked into the financial, payroll and personel files regarding your requests, and has reported back that the Town of Winchester has not authorized any sign-on bonuses for any member of the Police Department and there is no line item for this.”

An email back to the Town to ascertain there was NO misunderstanding of the information being requested:

In an email back to Morel dated 10/29/10.

“I appreciate you getting back to me on this, but this information doesn’t make sense. I have come across public records where Gary Phillips stated he offered Eric a $2,000.00 sign on bonus, to offset his loss in benefits to go to the WPD full-time and that Eric accepted that offer.”

“There must be a record of this as taxes and pension contributions would be reflected in the payment.”

“Can you please re-check the records?”

The second response from the Town Administrator:

“This is written in response to both of your concerns, namely the gym memberships and sign-on bonus.”

“As explained in my email of 10/28/10, the Finance Department has looked into the financial, payroll and personel files regarding your sign-on requests, and has reported back that the Town of Winchester has not authorized any sign-on bonuses for any member of the Police Department and there is no line item for this.”

The money didn’t come from the Town, yet Phillips told the AG’s he gave $2,000 to Ammann, he admits Ammann took the offer and Ammann said he got it via personal check belonging to Phillips.

A bribe from one cop to another cop. And covered up by the AG’s office at that.

2.) Then there is the banking fraud – again involving an investigation of the AG’s. They found Phillips to be in violation of the banking laws, yet in a sugary sweet letter glossed over that fact, probably in the hopes no one would notice.

From page 1:

“We reviewed documents and other material provided to this Department alleging illegal activity that resulted in the removal of certain officers in the Winchester Police Association, the installment of successor officers, and changes in control and custody of the Winchester Police Association bank account. Our Findings….”

“The following receipt of these reports allegations of illegal activity were presented to the Attorney General Director of Charitable Trusts as follows:

• “The Treasurer of the Winchester Police Association, Daniel Reppucci, was removed from the office in violation of the by-laws”

• “Acting Treasurer, Gary A Phillips, removed the Treasurer’s name from the associations bank account and substituted Gary A Phillips and Christopher Roberts as signers on said account without proper authorization and in violation of the by-laws which require a meeting of the membership be called and a secret ballot held to elect new officer’s”

• “Chief Gary A Phillips, Acting Treasurer, Christopher Roberts, Vice-President” (not included in this decision, but an interesting note that is established in the investigation is that Roberts promoted himself to President at the same time Phillips promoted himself to Acting-Treasurer) “and Maryan Platz, Secretary failed to follow the requirements of the bylaws of the Winchester Police Association, in (1) not following proper procedure in order to call a special meeting of the members; (2) nor following the provision of the bylaws in replacing the Treasurer with an Acting Treasurer, an office not authorized in the bylaws; and (3) utilizing a document called “Certificate of Resolution of a Corporation” which references a meeting of the Winchester Police Association that did not conform to the requirements of the bylaws and which ultimately led to the removal of the duly elected Treasurer, Daniel Reppucci’s name from the associations checking account at TD Banknorth.”

“Based upon a review of the allegations the Attorney General Charitable Trust Unit has concluded Gary A Phillips, Christopher Roberts, and Maryan Platz did not follow the bylaws of the Winchester Police Association in electing new officers and in changing the authorized names on the associations bank account and hereby requires the following corrective actions be taken…..”

They didn’t follow the law when they changed the authorized names on the associations bank account?

That means they broke the law. Pure and simple. You can’t present a bank with false, fake and fraudulent documents just because you want someone’s name off a bank account. It’s illegal and against the law.

There are legal mechanisms in place for changing and removing authorized signers on bank accounts and Phillips again, chose to bypass the law in favor of breaking it.

Guilty. The Chief of Police and his Second in command found guilty. Found Guilty of Breaking the Law, Guilty when they gave TD Banknorth fraudulent paperwork for the purpose of causing the change of authorized names on a bank account, not belonging to them, by using an unauthorized means.

Since this investigation was ongoing at the same time the AG’s criminal Investigator Dick Tracy was also conducting his investigation and was made aware of this “other” investigation, one wonders why he didn’t elaborate or include the findings in his report?

He quietly alludes to it, alludes to knowing criminal activity has been alleged, even gets an email from the Charitable Trust Unit. But he ignores it. Wonder why?

These pesty, pesty cover-ups aren’t so covered up anymore. And they speak volumes in a very unkindly way about those that we entrusted to protect us from the scum of the earth and the bad guys. We find out it’s them that we really have to watch out for.

3.) Lastly we’ll use the Phillips got caught lying about the criminal investigation he asked the Cheshire County Sheriff’s office to conduct, as a way to get back at Reppucci as the final example of Phillips perpetual lies. Reported to the Sheriff’s Dept, someone had broken into Phillips office and stolen some documents off his desk. And then made copies. And then returned them secretly with no one knowing. All this in the Sheriff's report.

Caught lying in testimony, we hear him as he testifies under oath, in his own words a big fat lie.

We hear as Phillips lies and it reinforces the idea that perhaps he had an ulterior motive to frame Reppucci as a way to get rid of him.

After all, investigating a break-in and a theft from the police station. A break in at the police department that doesn’t make the newspapers? A crime reported by the Chief of Police, occurring in his own police dept office and the newspapers don’t pick up on that?

Phillips testimony:

And what did you do with that concern?

“With that concern it was a a, kinda a tough situation because it’s somethin’, there would, there would, I couldn’t really investigate it thoroughly because they would cry bias, no matter what I did, investigate it somewhat within, ah you would routinely, what they call farming out or you would ask another agency to investigate a case for you when it’s a member of your own organization, ah that’s committed an offense and then I think it was July 9th , ummm, Dectective Macie came to the police department to interview Sgt. Reppucci to find out, ya know, what he knew about this document and then the first time I told him he needs to answer the questions posed to him by Detective, umm, by Deputy Macie and he told me that he’d answer the questions but only after he had a chance to talk with his attorney and that’s when I told him that it’s not a criminal investigation, it’s an internal investigation, involving an administrative charge”

How come the letter Sheriff Foote wrote to Reppucci, states it was a criminal investigation Deputy Macie was there to conduct? In fact, the letter says the Sheriff’s Dept hadn’t conducted any internal investigations at Winchester.

“I am in receipt of your request for documents related to investigation report #09-63-OF. The investigation in question is a criminal investigation. It is not an internal investigation. In 2009 the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Office was not requested to nor did it conduct any internal investigations on you or any other member of the Winchester Police Department."

And how come the Deputy’s criminal investigation shows it was a Misdemeanor crime that was being investigating and not that of an administrative violation as he testified to?

Right under the Confidential Marking, you can see plain as day they were investigating a crime, a Misdemeanor to be exact. It certainly and clearly does not say they were investigating an administrative charge as Phillips testifies to when giving his false and fraudulent testimony under oath.

And why is there an investigation conducted by Phillips, that’s called an internal investigation being conducted by Phillips? Where in it, he refers to the criminal investigation the Sheriff’s dept is conducting. A criminal investigation into the chain of custody of the document he alleges was stolen from office and that he reported as stolen to the Sheriff’s Dept.

Hmmm. Is it possible yet another lie has been uncovered?

Is Phillips trying to combine two separate and distinctly different investigations into one so he can cover his lies to unsuspecting listeners, while he was attempting to stack the deck against one of his employees, after that employee had recently learned of criminal activity Phillips was both involved in and had covered up? Criminal activity he had reported.

Fact: Phillips testified he told Reppucci he had to cooperate in the Sheriff’s investigation or he would suspend him, telling Reppucci he had to cooperate in a criminal investigation, ordering him to answer questions of a criminal investigator, conducting an investigation into a crime, thus illegally ordering Reppucci to violate his Constitutional Rights – Miranda.

Fact: As we heard in the testimony of Phillips, his testimony is clear, Phillips testified he told Reppucci the investigation of the Sheriff’s was an internal investigation and not a criminal investigation.

Why?

Phillips has changed his story and testimony so many times it’s likely he doesn’t even know the truth. Every time he’s confronted with a fact that doesn’t fit into the story he has told he changes the story to fit the fact.

And this guy is an authority figure with powers over us? Scary stuff.

Was Phillips looking for a lynching or to get to the truth?

Fact: Phillips has a pattern of lying and he doesn’t care to whom.

Phillips can't hide behind - it's just a couple of disgruntled ex employees anymore. There's too much information, too much proof and too many credible documents that aren't in his favor.

The questions become;

Is Phillips a complete moron who doesn’t know the law or a complete moron who knows it but doesn’t give a damn if he doesn’t abide by it?

Maybe he’s both.

Either way there is no room in law enforcement for people like this and exposing them is the best way and the quickest way to getting rid of them. The sooner we get them off the streets the better off we’ll all be.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Michael Delaney - When is the NH Attorney Generals Office Going to STOP COVERING UP the Crimes Committed by NH's Law Enforcement when Your Agency Conducts Investigations into allegations brought forward to your office?

Your Office Does NO Justice for the people when you cover up these crimes committed by Law Enforcment. And covering up these crimes acts to undermine the good people in Law Enforcement by protecting those Rogue Cops that are in place.

Delaney - Do you and your Office Condone Criminal Activity Amongst the Police Departments in the State of NH?

Where is the integrity in the investigative reports? Numerouse mis facts, unanswered questions and questioned answered that make no sense. Facts omitted from the reports coming from your office and your criminal investigation division.

Chief Phillips, Town of Winchester Police Department admitted, to your investigator to he gave money, thousands of dollars, a "Bonus" as it was called in your investigator's report, to Eric Ammann in exchange that he come work for Phillips and the WPD on a fulltime basis, OUT OF HIS PERSONAL MONIES.

Apparently, Phillips wanted Eric Ammann to come work for him so badly, bad enough that he would rather by pass the "Normal" hiring practice and pay Ammann out of his pocket, thousands of dollars to get him to come work for him and the AG's office doesn't find something wrong, weird, or unusual about that?

Is that how police departments in the State of NH fill vacanies? The Chief typically takes money out of his own pocket to get the people he wants?

Are our police departments in the State of NH, nothing more than a bunch of bodies bought, sold and traded off by the Chiefs of Police that run our Police Departments?

Erc Ammann has already publicly stated the money came in the form of a personal check from Phillips. Your investigator doesn't include that in the report. Also, not included in the report is that the Town of Winchester has no "Bonus" options in it's budget.

Isn't it expected a Chief of Police that they are supposed to be above board, above reproach, following the laws as they expect of those they arrests? Or do they have special privileges and powers that the AG’s Office bestow upon them that allows them to break the law in a wanton fashion and then get away with when it gets covered up, such as what is happening with Phillips?

How does the AG’s Office justify one Public Official paying another Public Official, money from their own pocket in exchange for a favor when they given information that it occurred? And in their justification of that crime aren’t they guilty of a cover-up and putting the community and the general public at risk by ignoring information regarding participation of public officials in corrupt practices?

The AG’s Office Covering up for Law Enforcement Officers who have repeatedly broken the laws is not good for the Public as a whole and is not in the Publics best interest.

When the proof exists and it’s the public who gathers that proof it shows the AG’s Office has a reprehensible disregard for the public, Mr. Delaney.

You were appointed to ensure that Law Enforcement in the State followed the laws and you are responsible to ensure they don't break the laws once brought to your attention.

How does any Public Official justify giving another Public Official money in exchange for favors?

A guy who is supposed to be a seasoned law enforcement official and criminal investigator for the NH Attorney General’s Office, Richard (Dick) Tracy, fails to include in his investigative report that he asked Phillips pointedly and directly – Phillips did you or did you not give Ammann money from your own pocket in exchange for taking a full time position with the Winchester Police Department?

It would stand to reason that since Tracy discussed the incident with Phillips and we know this from the AG’s report it was discussed, the question should have come up, since that was one of the many allegations Tracy was in Winchester to investigate to begin with.

Why would this not be in the report?

Why would Tracy drive 1 ½ to 2 hours one to go all the way to Winchester for a face to face interview with Phillips and not have in his report that he asked him if he personally gave Ammann money in exchange for a full time position with Winchester?

Is Delaney and the AG’s office trying to cover this up and even more? When is the NH Attorney General's office going to finally admit that they can't hide the corruption anymore and that they have bad cops in the State of NH they refuse to deal with while putting the public at risk?

And what about the Town of Winchester and the officials running the Town who knew about this?

The Chief of Police, Gary Phillips (Winchester Police Department), admitted and told the AG’s investigator that a money transaction occurred between himself and then NH State Police Dispatcher – Eric Ammann for the sole purpose of enticing Ammann to come work full-time for the WPD.

Phillips has admitted to reliable sources, but apparently not to the AG’S office, according to this report, that he paid Ammann from his own personnel checking account for the sole purpose of enticing Ammann to come work for the WPD. Phillips decided to sweeten his offer of a full-time position by offering Ammann a couple extra thousand dollars in salary, which he would thoughtfully provide out of his own pocket, if Ammann would make the decision to leave State Police and come to the WPD full-time and the condition was that he so immediately.

Ammann has also admitted to other reliable sources he received MONIES directly from the Chief in the form of a personnel check and NOT FROM THE TOWN OF WINCHESTER, in exchange for him agreeing to immediately come to work at the WPD at the time the offer was presented.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. If it smells like a bribe???? What else can you call it? Read the RSA on Corruption and Bribes. Open link to see copy of document.

Read the following quoted excerpts from the AG’s report as documented by Tracy in his interviews and conclusions, and see whether or not Phillips gave Ammann money from his own personal bank accounts in exchange for coming on board to work for his police department full time.

Repucci response to Tracy’s questions regarding his knowledge of the incident during the Reppucci interview: “Approximately 2 years ago, Eric Ammann was working as a full time dispatcher for the NH State Police and a part time officer with Winchester. He had been trying to land a full time position as a police officer but was not able to pass the physical test. Chief Phillips approached Ammann and asked him to work full time with the department in the hopes that Ammann would eventually pass the PT test in the near future. Ammann was reluctant to do so noting that he needed the full time benefits that he had with State Police. Reportedly the Chief gave Ammann $1,500.00 out of his own pocket if Ammann would take a full time position with his department.” Open link to see copy of document.

Phillips response to Tracy’s questions about his information during Phillips interview: “A few years back Eric expressed his desire to work full time as a police officer, Winchester, was short handed having lost two officers to Hinsdale PD with a third officer out on workman comp everyone was working more overtime than they cared to. Phillips approached Eric who was working as a full time police dispatcher reference working at Winchester on a full time basis. Eric was hesitant to do that as he would lose benefits that he had with the state. Philips offered Eric $2,000 bonus to offset the loss. Phillips noted that he was desperate at the time, his officers were working more hours than they should and he feared for their safety from being overtired. Eric would accept the Chief’s offer…..” Open link to see copy of document.

From Tracy’s Report, in his Summary of the reported crime: “The Chief paid Ammann $1,500 dollar to take a job with the department. That allegation shocked Chief Phillips. First the Chief doesn’t understand how that would benefit him or the department. Secondly the Chief pointed out that Ammann is a local guy who the Chief feels would fit in real well with the community and the department. Phillips assisted Ammann with getting a membership at the local gym. Phillips stated that around two years ago his department was shorthanded. Everyone was working additional hours, which became a safety concern for the Chief. He approached Ammann requesting that he work full time for the PD instead of part time. Ammann a dispatcher with the NHSP was concerned with losing his benefits. Phillips offered Ammann a $2,000 bonus to help offset the cost of benefits he would lose if he came to work for full time for Winchester.” Open link to see copy of document.

It’s very interesting that Tracy doesn’t mention in his summary what is included in his report that Phillips acknowledged offering Ammann $2,000, “Philips offered Eric $2,000 bonus to offset the loss” and that “Eric would accept the Chief’s offer”.

How does a Chief of Police, any Chief of Police get away with this?

1. Giving his personal money to a subordinate officer in exchange for that officer having to meet conditions he set forth such as coming to work for him at the PD?

And,

2. By-passing the Town approved budgets for police officers salaries by admitting to propping up the salary of one of them in a manner that is outside the scope of how employees at the Town of Winchester are paid?

Is Phillips that incapable of knowing right from wrong? Incapable of knowing when he follows the law or when breaks the law? Or does he just not care?

Someone with the amount of power entrusted to him as Phillips has, who arbitrarily and without regard violates continually, is a detriment to society as a whole, sends out the wrong message that breaking the law is OK and slaps in the face the people he is sworn to protect.

Phillips, sworn to protect and serve, entrusted to do so, a Public Servant who’s job is to serve the Public, not his own self interests, who has a history of doing as he pleases because he has no fear of reprisal and continues to act as if he is above the laws, sending a very dangerous message that should not be tolerated.

Did Phillips tell the Town of this transaction so that the proper income was reported to the Internal Revenue Service and State of NH, so that the proper amount of taxes and pension were paid? Of course not, it wasn’t the Town that paid Ammann, therefore not their responsibility to do so.

Did Phillips by-pass letting the IRS about this income? Did he provide Ammann with a 1099? Or do Phillips and Amman consider this money to be a gift?

Moreover, was this just a cover-up of a crime of bribery between the Chief and an Officer by Dick Tracy, the investigator for the Delaney’s NH AG’s office?

Why has Delaneys’s NH AG’s office covered up this and more? Is this why we can’t get a proper investigation of our elected and appointed officials misdeeds? Has the NH AG’s office and Delaney turned it’s back on Winchester, NH and the honest and decent people who live here?

Are we left to fend for ourselves and wait for more harm to come to the citizenry of this town? More lawsuits, more injuries and more scandals?

Having already been presented with this information previously why didn’t the AG’s office apply for search warrants of both Gary Phillips and Eric Amman’s financial records when Tracy first learned money passed hands between Phillips and Ammann? Why didn’t Delaney order this be done and why hasn’t it been done?

Ammann has already admitted to others that the money came from Phillips personally and not from the Town and that is confirmed from Phillips own statements during the interview between himself and the AG’s office.

Why didn’t the AG’s office, Tracy in particular feel compelled to interview Ammann as he did with Reppucci and Phillips and any others he may not have disclosed? Aren’t Ammann’s recollection of the events that transpired between himself and Phillips relevant? Aren’t his bank records relevant? Wouldn’t they show an important link between himself and Phillips and the money that exchanged hands between them for an unlawful purpose? Bribery of a Public Official and a Public Official accepting the bribe?

Wasn’t Phillips and Roberts being investigated for bank fraud when they submitted fraudulent paperwork containing false information to TD Bank in order to take over the Police Associations bank account and gain access to it at the same time this investigation was going on?

Isn’t presenting fake and fraudulent information to a bank, regardless of the reason or excuse, illegal? Criminal? Against the Law? Something Prosecutor’s prosecute people for? Something the Police charge people with? Something people go to jail for?

Didn’t the AG’s office find them in violation of the by-laws when they did that? And if they were in violation of the by-laws then they with absolute certainty they were in violation of the criminal laws so why did the AG’s office let them off the hook on that one and not prosecute anyone?

How is it they were made aware of all this illegal activity and more but looked the other way and pretended it never happened?

If the police can be bought and sold so easily out in the open in broad daylight, what are they doing behind the closed doors we never find out about? How can we trust or believe anything they say?

Phillips has already admitted to the AG”s the money went to Ammann.

What more evidence does the AG’s office need? How incompetent are they? They get information and they don’t follow through or is it won’t follow through?

Why didn’t Tracy bother to collect this evidence or have someone else do it so they could do a proper investigation and come to a conclusion based on the facts?

Tracy didn’t follow through on information he was given and that information, was information that he could have easily substantiated one way or another to true or false. Why not? Why didn’t he? Because he doesn’t have to? Not a valid excuse. It’s up to the AG Office to police the police. That’s one of their jobs.

Why didn’t Tracy review the Town’s payroll and personnel records belonging to Ammann and the rest of the police department for that matter? Those records would have shown inconsistencies of statements made by Phillips.

Inconsistencies, such as:

Overtime. The officers weren’t working hours upon hours of extra overtime during that period of time. A quick look at the payroll records easily reflect that. All Phillips did was shift around his personnel and changed their hours around to ensure the proper coverage.

As a matter of fact, quickly looking at the towns records will show that numerous outside police details were being participated in by his officers at this time. Extra hours being put in to make extra money outside of the police department. Extra hours that can only be authorized by Phillips himself.

If Phillips were so concerned about safety, why then would he have allowed the Town and his employees to be in potentially unsafe situations and in jeopardy by authorizing these outside details to begin with? “Phillips noted that he was desperate at the time, his officers were working more hours than they should and he feared for their safety from being overtired.” As quoted from the AG’s report.

So he wasn’t as desperate as the AG’s reports indicates. The AG’s office however, dropped the ball when they neglected to check the records and took Phillips word at face value or did a quiet under the table look the other way.

Quickly checking the records would have also left Tracy with the knowledge that none of the police officers were out on workers comp as Phillips stated to the AG’s office as documented in their report, “Winchester, was short handed having lost two officers to Hinsdale PD with a third officer out on workman comp”.

Had he checked these contradictions it may have sparked a question or two as follow-up to his original questions to all parties. But alas, Tracy never checked anything and instead relied on what he was told by the Chief, took that information at face and trusted his word.

Here’s another contradiction.

“The Chief paid Ammann $1,500 dollar to take a job with the department. That allegation shocked Chief Phillips. First the Chief doesn’t understand how that would benefit him or the department.” Again from the AG’s report. See link.

How could an allegation that the Chief paid Ammann $1,500 dollars shock him? He admitted to Tracy that is precisely what he did. Perhaps he was offended that the dollar amount Tracy questioned him about was $500.00 less than what he admitted to Tracy he offered, $2,000. It’s a strange statement to make regardless.

As to the benefit to him or his department that is simple. Phillips had already stated the benefit would be less overtime and less wear and tear on his officers. Which myth is debunked by the Town’s payroll records, approved outside department detail work that officers were participating in, as well as the schedule made by Phillips himself.

It’s not like Phillips hasn’t had practice or had to deal with conflicting and tricky schedules in the past. Shifting peoples work schedules around for a variety of different reasons such as illness, vacations, officers in training or in the academy or numerous other different scenarios. This was pretty much standard business as usual for the department.

A benefit to Phillips was that he didn’t have to work weekends if he hurried up and hired someone. Reportedly, it was really Phillips who was doing the complaining about the schedule, not everyone else. He had to work weekends and he didn’t like it.

The other benefit to Phillips was more personal.

Phillips, lost his Lieutenant, Theresa Sepe and his Corporal, Royce Pelkey to the Hinsdale PD, simultaneously.

Hinsdale had just fired Chris Roberts, after having demoted him some time earlier. His termination was for among other things his inability to get along with the Chief and his refusal to take a 2 week supervisor/management course in RI that the Chief wanted him to take. This is also part of the AG’s report.

The open positions in Hinsdale were enough for Sepe and Pelkey to apply for and then to flee to, both finally getting away from the WPD and the major disagreement they had with how Phillips ran the police department just as they desired to do.

Sepe had been a police officer in Winchester, the Town she lived in for 20 years, had worked under different Police Chiefs, yet she had to flee because of Phillips.

Phillips had been her commanding officer for about 3 years before she bailed, jumped ship or just plain took another job with another town, you pick the ending.

The fact is she abruptly left without any notice, took a demotion, increased her commute time and mileage to go take a job in another town all because of her conflicts with Phillips.

Sounds like she had no problems working with Gary Phillips right? Wrong. Phillips had been just a subordinate to her before he put the screws to the Town and took the position of Chief, but only after telling the Town Administrator he was only interested in the position for a couple of years and then would step down. As is a commonly known trait of Phillips, he never kept his word and never stepped down and we still have him around.

Then we have Pelkey. He too took a demotion to go work for Hinsdale. In fact, Phillips told Pelky that if agreed to stay he would promote him from Corporal to Sergeant. Pelkey turned down the offer, the promotion, more money and took a demotion from Corporal to Patrolmen and went to work for Hinsdale. Turning down a promotion, turning down more money, he opted for a demotion, probably a reduction in pay and an even longer commute than Sepe because he lived in Richmond and would now have to travel to Hinsdale just because of his conflicts with Phillips.

Of course, Sepe and Pelkey both have made it known their feelings for Phillips and none of those feelings were of admiration.

So Phillips had a BIG PR problem. Phillips also has a BIG EGO PROBLEM.

He didn’t want the word to get out that his police department was in shambles due to his mismanagement, he could lose his job if he were to be found an incompetent. Lose his job, his benefits, his paycheck. MOTIVE to BREAK the LAW?

So when Phillips says there was no gain for him he lies again, his gain is to save face by hurrying up the process of getting Ammann or anyone else for that matter signed on as a full time officer to take the heat off himself.

Make himself look good, that he had things under control and it was no loss or big deal for Sepe and Pelkey to be gone. Save face, save his job, save his paycheck and pension.

That was the motive, the game that Phillips played.

He would get someone in there immediately even if that meant he would pay that someone out of his own pocket. Put into the proper order, in the proper sequence the reality is, it was Phillips who was desperate and the desperation came from his fear of being ridiculed for being a poor manager, a Chief who couldn’t run a police department and the loss of his own job because of his inadequacies.

The Town of Winchester was asked through simple RTK requests, to review the records to determine whether bonuses or other additional money given, as a bonus, to Ammann and others. They were asked to review simple records and give simple answers to questions asked. Something Tracy should have done.

For instance in an email to the Town dated 10/23/10:

“It is my understanding that when Eric Ammann was hired fulltime at the Winchester Police Department, the Town paid him a substantial sign on bonus.”
“Can you tell me specifically how much this additional salary cost the taxpayers?”
“I would also like to analyze the line item that shows this money being paid to him.”
“Who authorized this sign on bonus? Was this done by Selectmen’s vote? If so, can you tell me at what BOS meeting this vote took place during?”
Also, how much did Fred Ziegler or any of the other new police officers get for sign on bonuses and what line item was to record them?” Open link to see copy of document.

“The Finance Department has looked into the financial, payroll and personel files regarding your requests, and has reported back that the Town of Winchester as not authorized any sign-on bonuses for any member o the Police Department and there is no line item for this.” Open link to see copy of document.

“I appreciate you getting back to me on this, but this information doesn’t make sense. I have come across public records where Gary Phillips stated he offered Eric a $2,000.00 sign on bonus, to offset his lose in benefits to go to the WPD full-time and that Eric accepted that offer.”

“There must be a record of this as taxes and pension contributions would e reflected in the payment.”

“Can you please re-check the records?” Open link to see copy of document.

“This is written in response to both of your concerns, namely the gym memberships and sign-on bonus.”

“As explained in my email of 10/28/10, the Finance Department has looked into the financial, payroll and personel files regarding your sign-on requests, and has reported back that the Town of Winchester has not authorized any sign-on bonuses for any member of the Police Department and there is no line item for this.”

“The Town of Winchester does not offer either sign-on bonuses or gym memberships. The Board of Selectmen reserves the right to make executive decisions if members feel an employee needs additional support.” Open link to see copy of document.

In a response back to Morel in an email dated 11/10/10 whcih can be seen at the above link.

“Specifically, how much did the town pay for Eric Ammann’s gym membership or reimbursement, to whom it was paid and when was it paid.” See Link.

The response from Morel on 11/10/10, again the document cans be seen on the link above.

“Your request does not stipulate any particular governmental record, only questions to be answered. However, if you are referring to documentation regarding this request, the cost of three (3) pages copied is $1.50. Please remit that amount to the Town, and copies will be provided to you”See Link.

Then in yet another email dated 11/9/10 the Town is again asked, this time from a different requestor of information and is as follows:

“Have the selectmen authorized or approved any bonuses for Eric Amman? If so what are the dates and amounts of these bonuses?”

“Have the selectmen authorized or approved any payments or reimbursements to Eric Amann for the purpose of a gym membership?”

“Have any of the WPD employees or any other members of the Town’s employees been reimbursed or approved to receive any monetary or monetary equivalents above their budgeted salary and benefits as outlined in the budget?”

"If so, who made the authorizations? Were any votes taken and if so when? If so who received the benefit, date and purpose of benefit and what budget lines are these items charged to?” Open link below to see copy of document.

“Your request does not stipulate any particular governmental record, only questions to be answered. However, if you are referring to documentation regarding this request, the cost is .50 per page.”

“Requests about Eric Amman are reasonably described, and the three (3) pages will be copied for you at a cost of $1.50. Please remit that amount to the Town, and copies will be provided to you”

"Please be more specific about the rest of your questions so that we may estimate the cost involved and be of assistance to you.” See Link.

Was this more preferential treatment that Eric Ammann received, in the form of additional income, beyond what he got from Phillips? Was this additional income included by the Town when they reported his wages and earnings to the State and Federal Governments and to the retirement system?

The responses pretty well substantiate that the money that Ammann received for coming to the WPD full time didn’t come from the taxpayers, which substantiates the fact that the money did come from an outside source and gives credence to Ammann stating it came from Phillips personally. Which was exactly what was reported to the AG’s office and precisely what Phillips was questioned on by the AG’s office, to which Phillips admitted to Tracy he did in fact offer money to Ammann and that Ammann accepted that offer. This all acknowledged by the AG’s office in it’s own report that Phillips said he offered Ammann $2,000 and Ammann accepted the offer.

So in nutshell –

1.Phillips asked Ammann to come to the WPD to work full time.

2.Ammann said NO, he couldn’t afford to because of some benefit he was getting from SP.

3.Phillips, instead of taking "NO" for an answer, then offers Ammann $2,000 out of his own pocket to cover that loss if he agrees to immediately sign on with Winchester.

4. Ammann agrees to accept the new offer under the new terms and takes the $2,000 personal check from Phillips and immediately goes full time at the WPD.

5. Down the road, Ammann confesses to other officers about the incident and circumstances who in turn report the bribe.

6. The AG’s gets involved whe nthey are made aware of the allegation, they question Phillips and Phillips admits to giving Ammann a $2,000 bonus and also admits that Ammann accepted it.

7. According to Tracy's report, Reppucci gets questioned and he tells Tracy he was told the money came from Phillips personally and not from the Town.

8. Tracy does nothing further. He doesn’t even question Ammann.

So the original allegation made against Phillips of questionable and illegal activity Phillips had engaged in when he offered his personal money to persuade a public official, Ammann, to come work for him has been established as an allegation based on truth and facts and that indeed money changed hands between the two of them for their own selfish gain.

Why didn’t Tracy go to the Town Hall office on August 26th, the day he was at the police department and ask to inspect the towns records? The same records that were requested through a RTK request. Mounting proof Tracy chose to ignore what he was told as there is no reason he would not have been able to access this same information himself through the AG’s office.

The records show no bonuses given – no sign on bonuses in the policy, none authorized by the BOS. How much clearer would it need to be?

No money exchanged between the Town of Winchester and Eric Ammann except budget approved weekly payroll.

Why didn’t Tracy ask to inspect Amman’s payroll records which we know show he didn’t receive any bonuses or sign on bonuses?

Why was Tracy so negligent in his investigation for Delaney's AG Office? What was his motive? Too much work, vacation schedule, incompetence or just a plain cover-up? There has to be a reason why Tracy just ignored this inforamtion of crimainal activty between Phillips and Ammann.

From all the information presented to Tracy and here it’s pretty clear that Phillips admitted giving Ammann a couple thousand dollars and Ammann accepted it, in exchange for a full time position at the Town of Winchester PD.

Here’s the NH RSA under the Criminal Code for Corrupt Practices or to use a common phrase a “bribe” and the pertinet parts underlined and bolded.

TITLE LXII CRIMINAL CODE
CHAPTER 640 CORRUPT PRACTICES
Section 640:2

640:2 Bribery in Official and Political Matters.

I. A person is guilty of a class B felony if:

(a) He, promises, offers, or gives any pecuniary benefit to another with the purpose of influencing the other's action, decision, opinion, recommendation, vote, nomination, or other exercise of discretion as a public servant,party official, or voter; or

(b) Being a public servant, party official, candidate for electoral office, or voter, he solicits, accepts or agrees to accept any pecuniary benefit from another knowing or believing the other's purpose to be as described in subparagraph I(a), or fails to report to a law enforcement officer that he has been offered or promised a pecuniary benefit in violation of subparagraph I(a).

II. As used in this section and other sections of this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(a) "Public servant" means any officer or employee of the state or any political subdivision thereof, including judges, legislators, consultants, jurors, and persons otherwise performing a governmental function. A person is considered a public servant upon his election, appointment or other designation as such, although he may not yet officially occupy that position. A person is a candidate for electoral office upon his public announcement of his candidacy.

b) "Party official" means any person holding any post in a political party whether by election, appointment or otherwise.

(c) "Pecuniary benefit" means any advantage in the form of money, property, commercial interest or anything else, the primary significance of which is economic gain; it does not include economic advantage applicable to the public generally, such as tax reduction or increased prosperity generally.Source. 1971, 518:1, eff Nov. 1, 1973.

RSA 640:2 confirms Phillips committed a class B felony when he promised, offered and gave Ammann a pecuniary benefit, in this case cash from his own pocket with the promise of a full time position with the WPD. Cash given for the sole purpose of influencing Ammann’s decision to immediately quit his job with State Police to come work for the him after Ammann told him he could not financially afford to immediately quit State Police and go to work at Winchester full time.

Another words Phillips cash payout can be construed as a cash bribe based on the law. He gave money out of his own pocket to another public servant to sway and influence for the purpose of his desire.

Under the same RSA Ammann committed a class B felony when he, being a public servant accepted and agreed to accept a monetary benefit from Phillips knowing that Phillips purpose for doing so was to sway Ammann to agree to be hired immediately. To make matters worse, Ammann, a sworn police officer who worked part time for 10 years and knew or should have known the statues, was obligated under the statute to report to a law enforcement officer that he has been offered or promised a pecuniary benefit in violation of the law.

Or, to be put into simple terms Phillips offered him a cash bribe to come to work for Winchester immediately and Ammann accepted it. Amman then kept quiet about for almost a year and half. He finally told other officer who in turn reported the bribe. The crime was then “officially” reported, but again not by Ammann. Up until now it’s been kept a pretty quiet secret and little was known about the truth surrounding the entire events. The story has now been opened up for public view.

Based on the email correpsondence the Town has known about this for almost a year at minimum. Yet they continue to let Phillips run the show and do nothing to stop him, increasing day by day the liabilty that will eventually be paid to all those who seek justice and relief.Those running around in Town Hall ought not to sit smugly in their arm chairs believing that they can't be found persaonnlly liable or that they are somehow protected by immunity. That might not be a defense when it can clearly be proved through documents that they have been notified numerous times over several years, warned and repeatedly asked to intervene and have continued to fail to do so.

And when is the FBI going to start investigating the corruption in this town and this state?

About Us

say: Police have an OBLIGATION to UPHOLD the LAW & NOT BREAK THE LAW.
As Concerned Citizens we want to bring TO THE PEOPLE the truth about what really goes on inside the Corrupt Winchester NH PD & the “ROGUE COPS” who work there.
***To show you what “ROGUE COPS” do to violate “YOUR” rights.
***To show you how these “ROGUE COPS” break the law & get away with it.
***To show you how these “ROGUE COPS” acts are repeatedly covered-up, including their criminal activity & how wide spread the conspiracy to cover-up really is.
***To show how because of these “ROGUE COPS” innocent people get hurt.
***To show the arrogance of these “ROGUE COPS”, how they believe they are above the law, how they believe they are untouchable & can do what they please.
***To show that if citizens don’t stand up together & “QUESTION AUTHORITY” then “Authority” runs the risk of becoming ‘CORRUPT, DECEPTIVE & VIOLATES PEOPLES RIGHTS & THE LAW” & you have “ROGUE COPS” .
***To try to stop “How someday somebody is going to get hurt because of these “ROGUE COPS” from having to be said.
Corruption in NH exists and it exists today.